Stories from a real life cowpuncher that will give you a smile and a glimpse of God.

Sticker Shock

by Kevin on June 2, 2010

Today’s post is by Richard Sipes. He is a pastor in Grand Junction, Colorado. I have recently got to know Richard through his website: Daily Discipleship. He mentioned me in a comment on the www.blog.ourchurch.com website and said that I would probably enjoy his devotional today. Well, I liked it so much that I thought I would re-post it here at Campfire Cowboy Ministries.

Driving across Colorado and Kansas this last weekend I saw herds and herds of cattle. There were all different breeds, colors, sizes and ages. It reminded me of a story I once heard:

Once there was a dairy farmer who went to buy a new pickup truck. He had seen an ad in the paper about discounts and factory rebates, so he decided to trade in his old clunker. He chose a new model and was ready to write a check. The salesman said, “Wait, I haven’t given you the final cost yet.” The farmer said, “I saw the price advertised in the paper.” The salesman said, “Oh, that’s for the basic model, all the options cost extra.” So the farmer paid the price and drove off in his new pick-up.

A few months later the salesman called the farmer because he wanted to buy a cow for his son’s 4-H project. The farmer assured the car salesman he had several good milk cows for sale for $500. The salesman drove out and selected out a cow and took out his checkbook. The farmer said, “Wait. I haven’t given you the final cost yet.” Then he handed the salesman a bill that read:

Whether you’re buying cars or cows, it’s important to get to what we call “the bottom line.” What is the “bottom line” of following Jesus? You may go into “sticker shock” when you discover it. Many people are only interested in the basic model of Christianity. They want just enough Christianity to keep them out of hell without intruding on their lifestyle. You don’t find the full cost of discipleship advertised very often these days. Few preachers discuss it because it is unpleasant; it doesn’t fill pews.

Here is what Jesus said, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it. For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and is himself destroyed or lost?” (Luke 9:23-25).Are you a disciple? Do you desire to follow Jesus? Surrender to Him (lose your life). I really think that Jesus isn’t just after attenders or spectators, but disciples. He doesn’t just want 10,000 well-dressed carnal believers to gather in an auditorium every Sunday. He is looking for more.

Is Jesus looking for more from you today?

Do you understand the cost?

What act of surrender will you take today?

Thanks to Richard and his message today. Please be sure and stop by his website to see more.

Good combination of Campfire Cowboys and Richard’s pastoring style. Nice post both of you. It is good to be reminded of the true cost in following Jesus if we want all the “options” and not just the base price of getting out of hell.

Have a blessed day,
Janis

Kevin

Yeah, I really, really, really like Richard’s post. We gonna make a cowboy out of that preacher yet.

Lovin how you guys are talkin. Thanks for reposting Kevin, and thanks Richard for writing it. Makin a cowboy out of the preacher and the message hitting home on the range. You guys are cool. I’m glad I found this blog.